Nonarcing interrupting switch



July 14, 1953 Filed Jan. 4, 1949 q 'IIIIIIII w. C. GREGORY NONARCING INTERRUPTING SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l y 4, 1953 w. c. GREGORY NONARCING INTERRUPTING SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1949 July 14, 1953 w. c. GREGORY 2,645,698

NONARCING INTERRUPTING SWITCH Filed Jan. 4, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE N'ONARCING INTERRUPTWINGV swrren William 0. Gregory, Compton, Galif. Application January 4, 1949, serial No; 69,265

This application is a continuing of my original application filed January 6, 1944, Serial No. 517,275, and now abandoned.

Briefly stated this invention relates to the following arts:

1. The breaking of an electric circuit;

2. The making and breaking of an electric current:

3. The making and/or breaking at least one electric circuit at predetermined intervals, without causing an appreciable arc.

The following refer to the drawings;

Figure 1 shows a spring energy accumulating, fluid activating, and arc qu'enching switch. The said activating fluid operatings'aid switch is con-' trolled'b y means of arotating valve.

Figure zshows a compressed air accumulating, fluid activated, and arc-quenchingswitch. The said activatingfiuid operating said switch i con trolled by"means of a rotating valve. s

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of Figure 1' and/or 2, slightly modified. In this embodiment a latch is provided so as to hold open a switch, when it is desired. 'f

Figures 4' and 5 show diagrammatically the method of controlling a plurality of fluid activatedand arc-quenching switches; The saida'c Figure 6*shows a slightly modified end View of Figure i and/or'5.

Figures 7, 8, and 9 show schematically how the fluid activating arc-quenching switch could be used to convert alternating current to direct current when the rotating valve means is driven in synchronism with the said alternating current.

Figure 9 shows schematically how the fluid ae-' tivating arc-quenching switch could be used to invert direct current to alternating current when the rotating valve means is driven at a predetermined speed.

Figurelo 'shows an end view of an electrode having'a plurality of ducts. The said ductscarry ing the activating and/or arc-quenching fluid.

Figure 11 shows the end elevation of a reciprocating or vibrating fluid activated and arequenching switch, while Figure 12 shows the side elevation. The said activating fluid switch is controlled by means of a rotating valve.

Figure 13 shows an activating and arc-quenching fluid entering the switch between a rotating valve means and an electrode. To have an activating fluid'travel as short af path as possible after passing the, rotating Valve meansisdesir- 5161.6.

4' Claims. (01. ZOO- 150) Figure 14 shows the end view, while Figure 15 snews tiie side era fluidact'ivated and arc' quenching -switch capable ofcompressing the said activating fluid. this embodiment the compression means is an integral part of the rota-ting valve means.

Figure-1 6 shows' the end view, while Figure 17 shows the side elevation of arotating powerdriven switch. The rota-ting portion of said switch acts as a rotating valve means, opening and closing the ports through which the arcqu'enching fluid flows.

Figure-1 8 shows thesideelevation, while Figure 19 snows endelvatioiiof' afluid activated and arc-quenching rotating valve means and switch. I

Figure 2-0 showsthe erid view, while Figure 21 shows the si'de' elevation'a'l view of a cylindrical type fluid andarc-quenching switch and valve means.

A more specific explanation follows.

1 Figurel show's aispring compression energy accumulating switch. Iii this embodiment the circuit that is to be controlled is connected to the switch at l"- and 2". The actuating and arequencliing fluid 3*enters at the base of the statioriary electrode 5. The flow of the said fluid is controlled by the action of the rotating valve means 4*. Asthe said fluid passes through the the" movableelectrode' I? from its seat, thus breakingthe circuit. The esca-pinglfluid 1 blows out anyarcing that-may" be present. As the movable electrode drno'vesaway" from the stationary electrode, energy'isfaccumu-lated in'the spring 8. A better Contact is obtained between the support for theniovableelectrode and the movable electrade by a spring" tension bar 9;

In this" embodiment" the'va lve' means 4 may be driven by mechanical force; or manually operated by aid or thehan'dle HY.

Figure 2"shows an ainconipression energy accumulating switch; This embodiment is similar toFigure 1. The"ciic'uit to be controlled is connected' at H and I2. Low resistance metal to metal is accomplished by having the movable electrode pass through the bath of conducting fluid, for examplemercury, l3'. This bath is madefluid' tight with a packing M'. The quick re-seating of thee'lect'rode"isassured by the air com ressed chamber f6; A plurality of switches may be controlled by one driving unit [Ties-indicated in Figures 1 and 2. For example, when an alternating" current is'to be rectified by at least one Switch, the shaft 4 carrying the 3 valves is made to rotate at a predetermined speed so as to synchronize with the sine wave of the alternating current. In this case a synchronous motor I? (or synchronously operated magnets) may be used for the driving force. Synchronism between the synchronous motor and the alternating current that is to be rectified is obtained by revolving the said motor concentrically to the axis of the armature, on the slide Hi. When synchronism ha been established the motor is clamped into place by the clamp [9.

Electrical synchronism between a switch and synchronous motor may be established by passing all of the current to be rectified through the synchronous motor or connecting the synchronous motor in parallel with the rectifying switches.

Figure 3 shows a slightly modified View, at right angles to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment an insulating shroud 20 is placed around the stationary electrode 21. The object of this shroud is to save on the consumption of fluid that is necessary for actuating the movable electrode. The current to be controlled is connected to the stationary electrode 22, and the movable electrode by a flexible pig-tail 23. When the switch is used intermittently, the movable electrode may be held away from the stationary electrode by a latch 24.

Figure 4 shows a switchin unit, the stationary electrode 25, and the movable electrode 26 both having fiat faces. Figure shows a switching unit, the movable electrode taking the form of an inverted cone 2'5. This cone-shaped electrode engages the stationary electrode 28 as illustrated. The movable electrodes of Figures 4 and 5 are actuated by a common rotating valve mean 34. This rotating valve is insulated as at 33 so as to maintain electrically separated switching units.

The circuit may be connected as indicated at 29, 30, 3|, and 3!. In this embodiment a portion of the switching unit is connected directly to the load. The illustration shows said portion immersed in the electrolyte 35. The electrolyte is shown residing in the receptacle 32. This electrolyte 35 is the load or resistance of the newly transformed energy. The electrolyte may be a conducting fluid, a molten alloy, a molten salt,

a saline solution and/or the like.

Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 4 and/or 5. This figure shows the rotating valve shaft 34 having a plurality of openings. These openings register with the duct in the stationary electrode. When registration takes place, the fluid passes through the opening that is in register, thence through the duct in the stationary electrode and escapes from the duct by raising the movable electrode. This movement of the movable electrode opens the circuit. The escaping fluid prevents the damaging arcing effect on the electrode.

Figure 7 shows schematically one side of a three phase Y connected transformer. This transformer is connected to a polyphase switch as herein described. The three phase switch consist of three switches and a collecting ring. The collecting ring 38 may be similar in construction to the slip rings found on alternating generators. The three switches and the collectin ring are actuated by a common means. The load 36 is connected between the collecting ring 38 and the center tap 3'! of the transformer.

Figure 8 shows schematically one side of a three wire single phase transformer. The load 40 is connected into the outer wires of the said transformer by two switches 39 and 39 and the center wire of the said transformer. The switches thus connected and driven in synchronism with the electric energy supplied to the said transformer produces a unidirectional current through the load 40.

In rectifying an alternating current the switches must open and close in synchronism with the current and voltage. It is desirable to have approximately a percent power factor when rectifying an alternating current. The switches should open and close as the current and voltage pass over the zero value. The switches are activated and synchronized with the current to be rectified by aid of a synchronous device, for example a synchronous motor, or a series of synchronously operated lifting magnets, as shown diagrammatically in Figures '7, 8 and 9.

Figure 9 shows one side of a three phase Y connected transformer. In this embodiment a direct current is made into an alternating current by systematically opening and closing the switches 4|, 41a, and M1) at a predetermined speed. The battery 42 is connected to the slip ring 43 and to the center of the Y connected transformer.

Figure 10 shows the end view of a stationary electrode having a plurality of fluid conducting ducts, instead of one duct as above described.

Figure 11 shows the end elevation of a vibrating electrode switch. This switch can be operated in synchronism with an alternating current so as to rectify the current into direct and/or pulsating current or change the frequency of the prime alternating current. The new frequency, after passing aswitch, may be greater or less than the prime frequency.

In this embodiment the activating and arcquenching fluid is discharged from the orifices located at approximately degrees from each other. The current is connected to the vibrating electrode and the structures containing the orifices.

The vibrating electrode 45 is made to make and break contact with the stationary electrodes 46 and 4! by the alternating impacts of the activating and arc-quenching fluid. The direction of flow of the said fluid is controlled by the rotating distributing valve 48. The said fluid may be energized by the pump 49. This pump may be driven from the same shaft that drives the rotating distributor valve 48. The said shaft is driven at a predetermined speed by connecting the said shaft to a suitable driver, such as a motor, steam turbine, or is belt driven.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of Figure 11 taken through the duct" through which flows the fluid and also the center of the vibrating electrode A-A.

Figure 13 shows a modified embodiment of the rotating distributor valve 48. It is desirable to have the activating and arc-quenching fluid travel the shortest possible route after passing the rotating valve means 53. In this valve the fluid enters at 52 and is sent to the predetermined electrode by the said valve 53. The electrodes 46 and 41 are separated electrically from each other by the insulators 55. The circuit is completed through the connections 5454a and 54 54b.

Figure 14 is an end elevation of a rotating valve means. In this embodiment the rotating valve means plays a dual part, namely, as a centrifugal pump and as a distributor valve. The pumping action of the valve picks up the activating and arc-quenching fluid and then places the fluid under pressures due to the centrifugal and centripetal forces. The fluid under pressure from the pumping action is forcedthronghizth .rctating valve, thence .through the crifices 'cf: the electrodes. In this embodimenta vibrating electrode iscaused tovibrate in a..manner similar to Figures 11 and 12. ,4 .1.

The rotor 56 of the centrifugal pump fl engages the incoming fluidc llhe-centrifugaland centripetal forces force the fluid (the :fluid: new under pressures) through the rotating distributor valves to the nozzles ottheelectrodes:59 and 60. The vibrating electrodei :made to 'vi-br'ate between the electrodes 59 an'd -BR 'by theforce imparted by the.escaping-aetivating and arc-quenching fluids.- The armws indicate the direction of flow of the fluid; TheeIeUtMdesiB'S and 6d are insulated as at filz 1 1 1.. 1

In this embodiment the rotating distributor valve: and centrifugalpump" mayhe driven-in synchronism with an alternating. currentthafl is to be. changed and/or altered or the said valve may be driven non syn'c'hr'onously. a

Figure isa side elevation of.Figurel taken.

to show the fluid flow by the dotted Iin'1-D-"D. The rotating distributor valve andCentrifugaI pump combination 56 and the hollowtail shaf-t 63 are connected to a suitable driving means through the solid shaft 54. The suction side of the said combination is stabilizedby mounting the-hollow shaft in a box and/0r gland 65. The electrodes 59:and' Bil are' separated by the insulator-s M. The switch is connected to the outer circuit through the'sta tionary electrodes 59 and Gllvby thelead fit and the vibrating electrode 58. l-he'- vibrating'electro'de 58- is connected to the outer circuit: through the flexible connections 68;-

- Figure 16 shows the end vievv ofa mechanically driven rotating. arc-quenching. fluid switch. The switch here shown: is composed of'four segments:- 10, H, 12, and 13. The said segments are-electrically separated but mechanically one i init. The said.- segments are connected-ta a co'mmon terminal 14 by the revolving contactoror switch 15. In this embodiment theop'erating-"fluid is released from the leaving edges of the segments and/or from the trailing edgesof messin /01ving switch.

1 The said fluid is forced-from the -hollow shafl 16 to the trailing edge of the switch- TS' -thrOugh the duct 18. The said fiuid is also-fdrced from the bustle pipe 16 throueh theductflthe partin edge of a segment, for example 13, the orifice of the delivery duct being: located at'8'0l Th bustle pipe 18" is made eith'erof a non ondary and iS'ShOWl'l schematically: in Figure 9';- The segments 10 and 12 are connected together:

as at 8|, Figure .17, and segments: "H and 13 are connected as at 82. Theseztwoiterminals fl lwand 82 are connected to theoutside wire'saof the s'aid three-wire secondary. 'I'hecenter'wir'e ofithe said transformer is connected'at-H. .f The revolving switch or contactorfirm-driven at a predetermined-speedbyl connecting he di 'iving uni-t to-the shaft as at 85 whe'nian alterhating. current I is. t'o bevrectified,..=the fevdlving switch is driven by a synchronous motor in such Wt? a 'manner that the'switch is kept in; synchronisni W-Iththezerovalue of the current and/or voltage. The' shaft may be stabilized byv the bearing. and/ongland t'fi; The arrows 84 indicatedthe flcwoi lthesaid fluid. The arrow markedF'sh'ows thedirectionofithe:rotating switch. The-switchin this embodiment may be driven by the escaping arc-quenching fluid, provided the said fiuid-is -underrsufiicient pressures. When the switch-is.thusactivated, a speed control device must brasupplied. A speed control device may be: maenecwthe shaft as at tidinsteadof at the synchronous drive as above described.

Figure- 18 is the side elevational view: while 3 Figure 19 is an endelevational view ofa fluidactivated and-.arc-quenching rotating valve means and taken through G, H, and J.

-'I he stationary portion of this embodiment consists oi as least twostationary rings8'l and the collector ring 88. The said rings are electrically separatedbut held together mechanically in one unit said rings 8''! are made up of a plurality of segments. The said segments 94, 95,86. and; 9*! are also electrically separated but held together mechanically in one unit. I I I The said segments in the said electrically separated rings are connected periodically electricallyby the-revolving connector bar-"89. The said-bar is mountedm'ovably onthe shaft 90 by the rocker joint Hi2.-

The activating and arc-quenchin fluid that delivered-to the said connector bar 98 is forced through the hollow shait 90', through the duct I06, through theflexible duct I108 and thence through 1 the duct; 9| and finally discharged at the nozzle The activating and arc-quenching fluid that is delivered to the said stationary segments is forced through the-bustle pipe 93 into the duct 92" and thence throughthe nozzle I09. I a I The non-conducting portion of the rotating switch may be air or material in the vapor phase asaat-wllldor thenon-conducting portion of the rotating switch may be made of a non-conducting orfdifficult conducting solid as indicated at 154'.- Theradialuface onthe said non-conducting solid may be smooth, or the face may be serrated as indicated at -I05. I a a ithev non-conducting portion of the stationary portion ofthe switch may be air or material inthe fluid phase as at 98; 99, I60, and EM, or the nomconducting or difficult conducting portion of theflstationary rings of said switch maybe made of a non-conducting and/or difficult conducting a solid; The radialfac'e on the said non-conducting or" difficult conducting portion may-be smoothas at 98:and- 99 or serrated as at N11, or the said stationary portion may be made up of a gradu ated series-ofnon condu'ctingor difficult conducti-n'gimaterialsas indicated at IO'I for example the firstsseries to have a resistance of X, the second Electricalcontact betwe'enth'e sliding and stationary electrodes or segments'm'ay be established-- by havingi the saidiactivating andlarc-quen'ching fluid a conductor of an electric current, or the revolving electrode 89 may be made to engage in the inner surface of the stationary electrodes as indicated. When the revolving electrode 89 is mounted on a rocker I02, centrifugal force presses the free end of the electrode against the stationary electrodes, thus assuring positive contact.

A resistance metal tip may be welded to the breaking edge of the electrode as indicated at N19 or on the trailing edge of the rotating switch'as at I01. The resistance of the said tip and said trailing edge may be graduated as explained above.

Figure ZOshows the end view of a fluid activated arc-quenching rotary switch, taken through either electrodes H4, H5, H6 of Figure 21. H1 is the common terminal or slip ring. Figure 21 is the front elevaticnal view of Figure 20. In this embodiment the stationary electrode Ill is held at proper tension against the revolving electrode or connector switch by spring tension or the like in a manner similar to holding the brushes on a generator.

The length along the radical faces of the stationary and/or rotating electrodes may vary so that the electric energy may flow in a given sequence.

The small arrows H2 indicate the direction of flow of the activating and arc-quenching fluid.

The radial surface of the non-conducting sections H3 of the revolving portion of the said switch may be smooth or serrated as illustrated. A serrated face is preferred.

In rectifying a three phase current the common electrode ll! engages the revolving continuous conductor H8. The electrodes H4, H5 and H6 carry the alternating current and engage segments of the revolving conductor as at 060--1-20v degrees apart. The said segments are connected to the said continuous conductor as indicated at I28 and 23.

This style of switch may be used to rectify an alternating three-phase circuit as indicated schematically in Figure 7, or direct current may be made into a three-phase or a poly-phase circuit at will. Furthermore, a variable-frequency polyphase circuit can be maintained at will.

A large number of the above named switches could be attached to one shaft, and a sequence of operations could be preformed automatically to produce a given process.

Variable resistances 124 and variable conductances I25 are illustrated at the parting edges and the trailing edges in Figures 19 and 20.

KK is taken through the fluid flow duct as indicated at terminal H4. The contact bars I23 on the revolving shaft are 60 degrees apart from each other.

The examples given are for illustrating a few of the uses of this style of switch and does not limit the said switch to the examples given.

This invention has the following values in industrial electricity:

1. As a circuit breaker where large sources of electric energy are being handled,

2. As a regulating switch, for example, in spot and/or resistance welding,

3. As a process switch for opening and/or closing a plurality of switches in a predetermined sequence,

4. As a converter and/or rectifier of alternating current to direct and/or pulsating current,

5. As an inverter of a unidirectional current to an alternating current,

6. As a chopper of an electric current,

7 As a frequency changer, I

8. As a variable frequency changer for driving alternating current machinery at various speeds,

9. As a high frequency machine for furnishing high frequency for metallurgical processes and heat treating processes,

10. As a circuit interrupter.

The said switch is activated in the following manners:

1. By an activating fluid,

2. By mechanical means,

3. By electrical means.

The activating and/or arc-quenching fluid, performs the following services:

1. Quenches the arc,

2. Quenches the arc and/or activates the switch.

The activating and/or arc-quenching fluid is controlled by means of a rotating valve.

, The activating and/ or arc-quenching fluid may be in the vapor and/or liquid phase.

The said fluid when in the vapor phase may be composed of the following:

1. An inert gas such as argon, helium, hydrogen,'nitrogen and others,

2.-By a hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon,

.3. Steam and the like.

The said fluid when in the liquid phase may be composed of the following:

1. A hydrocarbon and/or substituted hydrocarbon and the like,

, 2. Non-conducting solutions,

3. A conducting solution.

The said fluid in either phase may contain a lubricant such as colloidal graphite and the like.

The pressures required to operate the said switch may vary from a few ounces to several hundred pounds or more per square inch depending upon the weight and size of the switch, the magnitude of the electric load, the speed of opening and/or closing the circuit, and other operating conditions.

The said switch may be operated by the following methods:

. ,1. Manually,

(a) Close to the switch, (1)) Remote control;

2. Mechanically,

(a) Reciprocating action, (b) Oscillating-action, (c) Rotating action.

The rotating valve means which controls the arc-quenching fluid is actuated by the following:

1. Mechanical means, e. g.,

' (a) Non-synchronous motors,

(b) Synchronous mechanisms, (0) Controllable speed mechanisms; 2. Fluid drive, for example,

((1) Turbine effect:

(a') To drive a switch, (b) To drive a switch and quench an arc; (b) Pulsating effect of the escaping quenching fluid and maintained at a predetermined speed.

The speed and/or number of makes and breaks per unit of time depends upon whether the said switch acts in the following ways:

1. A converter, in which case the switch opens and closes as the current, and voltage power factor) passes over the zero point. In this case, makes and breaks must be accomplished by asynchronous machine, such as a synchronous motor, synchronous operated magnets and the like.v

2. An inverter, in which case the switch makes and breaks at predetermined regular intervals and may vary from less than one to 50,000 or more cycles per second. In this case a direct current may be changed into an alternating current.

3. A chopper, in which case the switch may make and break at irregular and/or regular inter vals without any reference to the zero value of the current and/ or voltage.

The said switch may be provided withvariable resistances and/or variable conductances located between the conductor and non-conductor portions of the said switch.

These variable resistances and variable conductors may be composed, for example of the following substances:

(a) or metal oxides such as copper oxide, iron oxide (magnetite) and the like.

(12) Of elements such as tellurium, selenium, graphite, silicon, germanium, and the like.

Of salts such as iron silicides, iron silicates (ferro-silicon) and the like.

(d) Of alloys Nichrome, and the like.

(e) Of mixtures such as graphite dispersed in clay and the mixture then baked similar to mate rial found in graphite crucible, brushes and the like, and mixtures produced from molten mix-. tures or melts such as iron-saturated with an excess of carbon, iron saturated with a non-metal such as iron saturated with silicon or silica and the like.

(1) Glass heavily loaded with a conducting metal such as ferro-silicon and the like.

The said variable resistances and variable conductances may have a range from the conductivity of the conductor in the switch to the resistivity of the non-conductor in the switch.

The said variable resistance and variable conductance may be made a part of the circuit by:

(a) Inserting the said resistance (possibly a number of pieces each piece having a different resistivity or conductivity, mechanically within said switch.

(12) Welding various pieces of material together and then machining the structure in such a manner that as the switch operates the conductivity increases to a maximum and then to a minimum.

(0) Flowing by fusion various materials together and then machining the structure in such a manner that as the switch operates the resistivity of the flow of electric current decreases to a minimum and then to a maximum.

I claim to have invented the following:

1. In a device of the class described a stationary member and a moving member, said members having a variable conductivity said variable conductivity obtained by using a plurality of materials having different conductivity, said materials united into a unit mass, said moving member 10 adapted to make and break repeatedly at a'predetermined speed an electric current, said moving member motivated at least in part by a fluid under pressure, the exhaust of said fluid quenching an arc of said current.

2. In a device of the class described a moving pendulum-mounted reciprocating member adapted to make and break at a predetermined uniform speed an electric current, said member motivated by a fluid under pressure, said fluid being metered out by a revolving constant-speed measuring device, the exhaust of said fluid quenching an arc of said current.

3. In a device of the class described a stationary member and a moving member, said moving member having a variable conductance, said variable conductance obtained by using at least two materials having difierent conductivity, said materials united into a unit mass, said moving member adapted to make and break repeatedly at a predetermined uniform speed an electric current, said moving member motivated by a fluid under pressure, the exhaust of said fluid quenching an arc of said current.

4. In a device of the class described a stationary member and a moving member, said members having a variable conductance, said conductance separated by a variable resistance, said variable conductance obtained by using at least two materials having diilerent conductivities, said conductive materials united into a unit mass, said variable resistance obtained by using at least two materials having different resistivities, said resistant materials united into a unit mass, said moving member adapted to make and break repeated at a predetermined uniform speed an electric current, said moving member motivated by a fluid under pressure, the exhaust of said fluid quenching an arc of said current.

WILLIAM C. GREGORY.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,093,292 Rieber Apr. 14, 1914 1,269,253 Brown June 11, 1918 1,572,673 Newman Feb. 9, 1926 1,673,026 Schelleng June 12, 1928 2,100,753 Schofield Nov. 30, 1937 2,331,441 Thommen et al Oct. 12, 1943 2,336,316 Thommen Dec. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,115 Great Britain Feb. 18, 1932 408,175 Great Britain Apr. 5, 1934 463,355 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1937 

